Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Thursday, March 25, 2021
Hiking for Hunger
Mar 25 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Friday, March 26, 2021
American nonstop flights in JUNE from AVL to Boston, Chicago and Washington DC
Mar 26 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
merican Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are growing together again!  In anticipation of increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American is launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.
Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD both begin June 5, and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.
With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.
“American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.”
“As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region,” said Brian Znotins, Vice President of Network Schedule and Planning for American. “In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.”
NEW ROUTE SCHEDULES
ROUTE
DCA > AVL
AVL > DCA
ORD > AVL
AVL > ORD
BOS > AVL
AVL > BOS
DATES OF OPERATION
June 3 – September 7, 2021
(Daily)
June 5 – September 4, 2021
(Saturdays)
June 5 – November 6, 2021
(Saturdays)
FLIGHT TIMES
Dep DCA: 2:45pm | Arr AVL: 4:20pm
Dep AVL: 5:00pm | Arr DCA: 6:35pm
Dep ORD: 1:20pm | Arr AVL: 4:14pm
Dep AVL: 6:00pm | Arr ORD: 7:12pm
Dep BOS: 10:05am | Arr AVL: 1:00pm
Dep AVL: 1:40pm | Arr BOS: 4:30pm
American offers nonstop flights from AVL to:  Charlotte, N.C. (5-7 daily departures), Chicago, Ill. (Saturdays, summer seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx. (twice daily), and Washington, D.C. (daily, summer-early fall).  Flights can be booked at www.aa.com.
Hiking for Hunger
Mar 26 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Saturday, March 27, 2021
American nonstop flights in JUNE from AVL to Boston, Chicago and Washington DC
Mar 27 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
merican Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are growing together again!  In anticipation of increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American is launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.
Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD both begin June 5, and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.
With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.
“American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.”
“As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region,” said Brian Znotins, Vice President of Network Schedule and Planning for American. “In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.”
NEW ROUTE SCHEDULES
ROUTE
DCA > AVL
AVL > DCA
ORD > AVL
AVL > ORD
BOS > AVL
AVL > BOS
DATES OF OPERATION
June 3 – September 7, 2021
(Daily)
June 5 – September 4, 2021
(Saturdays)
June 5 – November 6, 2021
(Saturdays)
FLIGHT TIMES
Dep DCA: 2:45pm | Arr AVL: 4:20pm
Dep AVL: 5:00pm | Arr DCA: 6:35pm
Dep ORD: 1:20pm | Arr AVL: 4:14pm
Dep AVL: 6:00pm | Arr ORD: 7:12pm
Dep BOS: 10:05am | Arr AVL: 1:00pm
Dep AVL: 1:40pm | Arr BOS: 4:30pm
American offers nonstop flights from AVL to:  Charlotte, N.C. (5-7 daily departures), Chicago, Ill. (Saturdays, summer seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx. (twice daily), and Washington, D.C. (daily, summer-early fall).  Flights can be booked at www.aa.com.
Hiking for Hunger
Mar 27 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Sunday, March 28, 2021
American nonstop flights in JUNE from AVL to Boston, Chicago and Washington DC
Mar 28 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
merican Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are growing together again!  In anticipation of increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American is launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.
Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD both begin June 5, and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.
With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.
“American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.”
“As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region,” said Brian Znotins, Vice President of Network Schedule and Planning for American. “In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.”
NEW ROUTE SCHEDULES
ROUTE
DCA > AVL
AVL > DCA
ORD > AVL
AVL > ORD
BOS > AVL
AVL > BOS
DATES OF OPERATION
June 3 – September 7, 2021
(Daily)
June 5 – September 4, 2021
(Saturdays)
June 5 – November 6, 2021
(Saturdays)
FLIGHT TIMES
Dep DCA: 2:45pm | Arr AVL: 4:20pm
Dep AVL: 5:00pm | Arr DCA: 6:35pm
Dep ORD: 1:20pm | Arr AVL: 4:14pm
Dep AVL: 6:00pm | Arr ORD: 7:12pm
Dep BOS: 10:05am | Arr AVL: 1:00pm
Dep AVL: 1:40pm | Arr BOS: 4:30pm
American offers nonstop flights from AVL to:  Charlotte, N.C. (5-7 daily departures), Chicago, Ill. (Saturdays, summer seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx. (twice daily), and Washington, D.C. (daily, summer-early fall).  Flights can be booked at www.aa.com.
Hiking for Hunger
Mar 28 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Monday, March 29, 2021
Hike with a Naturalist
Mar 29 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Spend an hour hiking one of our six different trails with a naturalist. This is educational excursion will give you a better understanding of the flora and fauna that can be found in the Park. You may even learn some of the Park’s history as well.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021
irtual Tuesday Night Shamanic Practices by Rising Fire Shamanism
Mar 30 @ 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Online w/ Awakening Asheville

Hosted by Rising Fire Shamanism
Cultivate presence in your life through direct experience. Join us to learn and use an ancient healing technique during each class.

About this Event
*** JOIN US FOR POWERFUL PRACTICES FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE!***
In response to the economic difficulties brought on by COVID, Rising Fire Shamanism is offering our Tuesday Night Shamanic Practice class for free beginning in February 2021 going through December 2021.
Tuesday Night Shamanic Practice class helps cultivate presence in your life through shamanic practices, sacred play, meditation, and centering techniques.

Learn how to transform and release dense energy from your body, mind and energy field. We do this while strengthening our refined energy, or “sami.” The idea is to build our living energy, our “kausay,” with mindfulness. We focus on different methods of experiencing directly each week to build or to enhance the foundation of your personal work.

This class is for the curious and those who would like to refine their personal practices. You will have the opportunity do something different each week; shamanic breathwork, journeying, meditation and more.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tuesday-night-shamanic-practices-tickets-112043045766?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

Wednesday, March 31, 2021
How to Transcend The Five Obstacles to Self Love – Jerry Donoghue
Mar 31 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Online

Jerry Donoghue is founder of the Asheville Compassionate Communication Center and the Inner Presence Coaching Institute in Asheville, NC. Jerry is a Master Spiritual Coach who specializes in training couples to be more compassionate with themselves and each other through his courses and private coaching. He also trains helping professionals in gentle, non-invasive, non-prescriptive approaches to support that rely on the clients’/students’ innate intelligence. He draws on his many years of teaching people compassion communication, self-compassion, and nondual awareness work to create this dynamic Inner Presence Inquiry Work. He shows us in a totally practical and deeply experiential way, how to fully enter, lovingly embrace and be present to the disowned, painful and rejected parts of ourselves. www.ashevilleccc.com

What we’re about

The Asheville Wisdom Exchange is a sacred space for the non-judgmental exchange of insight and wisdom in our quest to better express the Divine inherent within us. Topics vary weekly utilizing a combination of experts and open discussion in a unique and respectful format based upon the premise that we all can learn from each other. We welcome you to join us and share your voice in the uplifting of humanity.
We meet via Zoom every Wednesday from 7 – 8:15 p.m.
https://www.ashevillewisdomexchange.org

Thursday, April 1, 2021
Spring Photo Contest – “Buds + Blooms”
Apr 1 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Time: 12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

Friday, April 2, 2021
American nonstop flights in JUNE from AVL to Boston, Chicago and Washington DC
Apr 2 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
merican Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are growing together again!  In anticipation of increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American is launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.
Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD both begin June 5, and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.
With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.
“American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.”
“As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region,” said Brian Znotins, Vice President of Network Schedule and Planning for American. “In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.”
NEW ROUTE SCHEDULES
ROUTE
DCA > AVL
AVL > DCA
ORD > AVL
AVL > ORD
BOS > AVL
AVL > BOS
DATES OF OPERATION
June 3 – September 7, 2021
(Daily)
June 5 – September 4, 2021
(Saturdays)
June 5 – November 6, 2021
(Saturdays)
FLIGHT TIMES
Dep DCA: 2:45pm | Arr AVL: 4:20pm
Dep AVL: 5:00pm | Arr DCA: 6:35pm
Dep ORD: 1:20pm | Arr AVL: 4:14pm
Dep AVL: 6:00pm | Arr ORD: 7:12pm
Dep BOS: 10:05am | Arr AVL: 1:00pm
Dep AVL: 1:40pm | Arr BOS: 4:30pm
American offers nonstop flights from AVL to:  Charlotte, N.C. (5-7 daily departures), Chicago, Ill. (Saturdays, summer seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx. (twice daily), and Washington, D.C. (daily, summer-early fall).  Flights can be booked at www.aa.com.
Earth Month Bingo: Show Your Planet Some Love
Apr 2 all-day
Online w/ WNC for the Planet

WNC for the Planet Logo

#WNCFORTHEPLANET

April is Earth Month, and for all of you looking for ways to help our beautiful mother Earth, we’ve got you covered. This year 6 of the partnering environmental organizations have gathered various way for you to enjoy nature, learn new things about the environment, and help protect our local ecosystems. By participating in some of these activities, you can be entered to win a bundle of goodies. Here’s how it works:

  1. Click on each bingo square to learn more about that activity.
  2. Use this printable bingo card to track the activities you complete.
  3. Once you’ve completed a row or column on the bingo card, email your filled out bingo card to [email protected]
  4. For every row or column that you complete you’ll get one entry into the drawing for a swag bag prize bundle.
Hiking for Hunger
Apr 2 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Spring Photo Contest – “Buds + Blooms”
Apr 2 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Time: 12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program
Apr 2 @ 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Online w/ RiverLink

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

French Broad/Arboretum MTS hike
Apr 2 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bent Creek

We meet at the parking area of the French Broad River. We leave for the hike no later than 9:10 a.m. and hike 2.5 miles on the MTS trail and back for a total 5 miles hike. We walk at a pretty swift pace (2.7 to 3 mph). Hike is designed for fitness and conversation. We don’t take a break until we reach the turn around point, then we stop for brief water break. We repeat this hike on Friday. Then move on with our regular rotation of hikes.

Hikers who are new to hiking will likely be more comfortable on another meet up hike designed for people who are just beginning hiking or trying to get into shape for hiking. You might consider “WNC Easy Hikers Group,” for instance.

We meet at the parking area of the French Broad River off of Brevard Road. Coming from Asheville, go through the light at the arboretum intersection and you will see the parking area almost immediately on your left. We leave no later than 9:10 a.m. I think this is called the Brent Creek River Park.

Saturday, April 3, 2021
American nonstop flights in JUNE from AVL to Boston, Chicago and Washington DC
Apr 3 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
merican Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are growing together again!  In anticipation of increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American is launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.
Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD both begin June 5, and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.
With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.
“American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.”
“As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region,” said Brian Znotins, Vice President of Network Schedule and Planning for American. “In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.”
NEW ROUTE SCHEDULES
ROUTE
DCA > AVL
AVL > DCA
ORD > AVL
AVL > ORD
BOS > AVL
AVL > BOS
DATES OF OPERATION
June 3 – September 7, 2021
(Daily)
June 5 – September 4, 2021
(Saturdays)
June 5 – November 6, 2021
(Saturdays)
FLIGHT TIMES
Dep DCA: 2:45pm | Arr AVL: 4:20pm
Dep AVL: 5:00pm | Arr DCA: 6:35pm
Dep ORD: 1:20pm | Arr AVL: 4:14pm
Dep AVL: 6:00pm | Arr ORD: 7:12pm
Dep BOS: 10:05am | Arr AVL: 1:00pm
Dep AVL: 1:40pm | Arr BOS: 4:30pm
American offers nonstop flights from AVL to:  Charlotte, N.C. (5-7 daily departures), Chicago, Ill. (Saturdays, summer seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx. (twice daily), and Washington, D.C. (daily, summer-early fall).  Flights can be booked at www.aa.com.
Earth Month Bingo: Show Your Planet Some Love
Apr 3 all-day
Online w/ WNC for the Planet

WNC for the Planet Logo

#WNCFORTHEPLANET

April is Earth Month, and for all of you looking for ways to help our beautiful mother Earth, we’ve got you covered. This year 6 of the partnering environmental organizations have gathered various way for you to enjoy nature, learn new things about the environment, and help protect our local ecosystems. By participating in some of these activities, you can be entered to win a bundle of goodies. Here’s how it works:

  1. Click on each bingo square to learn more about that activity.
  2. Use this printable bingo card to track the activities you complete.
  3. Once you’ve completed a row or column on the bingo card, email your filled out bingo card to [email protected]
  4. For every row or column that you complete you’ll get one entry into the drawing for a swag bag prize bundle.
Hiking for Hunger
Apr 3 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Spring Photo Contest – “Buds + Blooms”
Apr 3 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Time: 12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program
Apr 3 @ 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Online w/ RiverLink

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Paint Rock Conservation Forest Bath
Apr 3 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Paint Rock Farm

Are ready to connect to the healing energy of the forest??

Cera from Harmonize Your Health will guide you on a forest bathing meditation experience near Pisgah National Forest to dive deep into the heart of nature healing. As humans we evolved with the forest but a lot of us have lost a deep understanding of and connection to how it guides us on our healing journey.

Shinrin Yoku or translated Forest Bath is an ancient Japanese practice involving completely immersing yourself in the healing powers of nature.

Get your tickets today!

Sunday, April 4, 2021
American nonstop flights in JUNE from AVL to Boston, Chicago and Washington DC
Apr 4 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
merican Airlines and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are growing together again!  In anticipation of increasing interest in travel to the Asheville area, American is launching new daily nonstop service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as new Saturday service to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in time for summer.
Service to DCA begins June 3 and will operate through Sept. 7. Flights to BOS and ORD both begin June 5, and will operate through Nov. 6 and Sept. 4, respectively. All flights will be operated on regional aircraft equipped with 76 seats in a two-cabin configuration.
With the addition of these new routes, American will operate a record of 12 peak day flights at AVL.
“American continues to show significant commitment to the western North Carolina market,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. “It is exciting to welcome these new routes this summer, which are great new options for travelers. The connectivity American offers is very important to the quality air service available at AVL, and I thank them for their amazing partnership.”
“As more customers look for opportunities to get away and explore the great outdoors, American is eager to expand travel options to the Asheville region,” said Brian Znotins, Vice President of Network Schedule and Planning for American. “In-airport and on board, our team has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their travels while offering more flexibility and choice than ever before.”
NEW ROUTE SCHEDULES
ROUTE
DCA > AVL
AVL > DCA
ORD > AVL
AVL > ORD
BOS > AVL
AVL > BOS
DATES OF OPERATION
June 3 – September 7, 2021
(Daily)
June 5 – September 4, 2021
(Saturdays)
June 5 – November 6, 2021
(Saturdays)
FLIGHT TIMES
Dep DCA: 2:45pm | Arr AVL: 4:20pm
Dep AVL: 5:00pm | Arr DCA: 6:35pm
Dep ORD: 1:20pm | Arr AVL: 4:14pm
Dep AVL: 6:00pm | Arr ORD: 7:12pm
Dep BOS: 10:05am | Arr AVL: 1:00pm
Dep AVL: 1:40pm | Arr BOS: 4:30pm
American offers nonstop flights from AVL to:  Charlotte, N.C. (5-7 daily departures), Chicago, Ill. (Saturdays, summer seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tx. (twice daily), and Washington, D.C. (daily, summer-early fall).  Flights can be booked at www.aa.com.
Earth Month Bingo: Show Your Planet Some Love
Apr 4 all-day
Online w/ WNC for the Planet

WNC for the Planet Logo

#WNCFORTHEPLANET

April is Earth Month, and for all of you looking for ways to help our beautiful mother Earth, we’ve got you covered. This year 6 of the partnering environmental organizations have gathered various way for you to enjoy nature, learn new things about the environment, and help protect our local ecosystems. By participating in some of these activities, you can be entered to win a bundle of goodies. Here’s how it works:

  1. Click on each bingo square to learn more about that activity.
  2. Use this printable bingo card to track the activities you complete.
  3. Once you’ve completed a row or column on the bingo card, email your filled out bingo card to [email protected]
  4. For every row or column that you complete you’ll get one entry into the drawing for a swag bag prize bundle.
Hiking for Hunger
Apr 4 all-day
Online w/ Hiking for Hunger

Former Volunteer Manager, Micah Tomlinson, and former MANNA Community Market Driver, Keeka Grant-Tomlinson, began hiking the Appalachian Trail together as part of Hiking for Hunger – a fundraiser created by both of them to help raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in WNC, while also raising funds for MANNA FoodBank.
To follow along with their thru-hike and to learn more about Hiking for Hunger, Hiking for Hunger | Making miles for meals in Western North Carolina.
Spring Photo Contest – “Buds + Blooms”
Apr 4 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30

Time: 12:00 am – 11:59 pm
Cost: No additional cost to enter.

The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

Virtual 65th Annual Easter Sunrise Service
Apr 4 all-day
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Please Note: This year’s service will be streamed virtually on our Facebook page. Please tune in at 7 am on April 4 to celebrate our 65th Annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Celebrate the glory of Easter with song, scripture and spiritual music as a spectacular sunrise ascends over Lake Lure. Chimney Rock’s nondenominational Annual Easter Sunrise Service has become a legendary event in western North Carolina.

Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program
Apr 4 @ 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Online w/ RiverLink

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. Stormwater is rain that flows across the landscape—rather than soaking into the ground—where it picks up pollutants before flowing into a storm drain and emptying into the nearest stream.

With funding from the Pigeon River Fund, a grant administered by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, this pilot program will pair volunteers with a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed.

The goal is to get 100 storm drains adopted in 2021. Volunteers will be awarded with fun prizes for their commitment and enthusiasm, and  if successful, the Adopt A Storm Drain program will expand to include other areas in the City of Asheville.

How does it work?

Select a storm drain in a convenient location of the Central Asheville Watershed. It could be in front of your home, business, or where you exercise regularly. By adopting a storm drain, you commit to checking the drain in between rain events and keeping it clear of litter and debris. All it takes are gloves and a trash bag. Then with a smartphone or computer, you can report debris cleaned/cleared, and conditions such as illegal dumping or flooding. In a matter of minutes, you help protect water quality and prevent street flooding from clogged drains!

Monday, April 5, 2021
Earth Month Bingo: Show Your Planet Some Love
Apr 5 all-day
Online w/ WNC for the Planet

WNC for the Planet Logo

#WNCFORTHEPLANET

April is Earth Month, and for all of you looking for ways to help our beautiful mother Earth, we’ve got you covered. This year 6 of the partnering environmental organizations have gathered various way for you to enjoy nature, learn new things about the environment, and help protect our local ecosystems. By participating in some of these activities, you can be entered to win a bundle of goodies. Here’s how it works:

  1. Click on each bingo square to learn more about that activity.
  2. Use this printable bingo card to track the activities you complete.
  3. Once you’ve completed a row or column on the bingo card, email your filled out bingo card to [email protected]
  4. For every row or column that you complete you’ll get one entry into the drawing for a swag bag prize bundle.